Post by Bonobo on Dec 3, 2010 23:01:53 GMT 1

The annual Christmas nativity scene (szopka) competition has began in the southern city of Krakow, with political satire displayed alongside more traditional cribs.

Traditional scenes with baby Jesus in the manger there are augmented by satirical nativity plays this year. In one, President Bronislaw Komorowski and his wife Anna are depicted as historical Polish nobility characters . Another nativity scene presents Jerzy Buzek (head of the European parliament), Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin as the Three Wise Men .

The nativity plays, displayed at in the main square, will be moved to the exhibition halls of the Palace of Krzysztofory, the main site of Krakow History Museum.

The jury will give its verdict which play is the winner basing on the criteria of evaluating the set decoration, colours, sculptures, tradition and innovation and the whole artistic impression of the work.

The verdict will be presented on Sunday and the authors of the best nativity plays will be awarded with diplomas . All the szopki will be on display at the history museum n Krakow until February.

The szopka tradition dates back to the 19th century, when Kraków's craftsmen begun to make them as seasonal decoration in order to earn extra income during the Christmas period.

Post by Bonobo on Dec 28, 2011 17:33:11 GMT 1

Kraków szopka (pron.: shop-ka), or nativity scene (crib, crèche) (Polish: Szopka krakowska) is a Christmas tradition originating from Kraków, Poland, and dating back to the 19th century. An unusual and characteristic feature of the szopka is the use of historical buildings of Kraków as backdrop for the Nativity of Jesus.[1]

Nativity scenes, common in Christian cultures, originated with St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century and quickly spread to Poland. During the Middle Ages a specific type of nativity-based play, referred to as Jasełka, developed in Poland.[2][3]

Some performers displayed their szopkas together with puppets in a form of a street theatre. In some, movable puppets were replaced with immobile wooden figurines. At times subject-specific puppets or figurines were and are being added to illustrate elements of Polish culture, ranging from historical figures like winged hussars and Tadeusz Kościuszko, through the legendary sorcerer Pan Twardowski and Dragon of Wawel, to contemporary politicians or artists. In the 18th century the spread of such non-religious content led to a ban on more extravagant nativity scenes in some Polish churches; following the ban, the performances evolved into a true expression of folk art.

The szopka tradition dates back to the 19th century, when Kraków's craftsmen – masons, woodworkers – begun to make them as a seasonal decoration in order to earn extra income during Christmas. The custom grew in popularity, with people willing to pay to watch szopka collections – often carried by door-to-door carollers – or to own them. Among the notable early patrons of the custom was the magnate family of Potoccy.

After Poland regained independence in 1918, szopkas started to be made and sold as souvenirs of Kraków. The city's municipal authorities decided to support this tradition by announcing the first competition in December 1937. Since then, except for the duration of the Second World War, the szopka presentation and tournament takes place every year on the first Thursday of each December, at the Main Market Square, Kraków, next to the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. The best szopkas are then displayed in the Historical Museum of Kraków in Krzysztofory palace.Design

The ornate structures can be up to two metres high and three metres wide. The edifice most often used as an inspiration for szopka models is the St. Mary's Basilica, Kraków with its easily recognisable spires. Other popular choices include Wawel Castle, Sukiennice trade hall and the Barbican of Kraków.The Bethlehem is often shown on the second floor, as the first one is used for a display of historical figurines.

Post by tufta on Dec 28, 2011 18:34:00 GMT 1

In this froum I have learned a great deal about the specifity of Kraków versus Warszawa- thank you Bo! One such is - perhaps just my impression here - that all that szopka thing is much more important and lively in Kraków than elsewhere. Good job, you keep the tradition alive.

Post by Bonobo on Oct 28, 2018 21:52:54 GMT 1

UNESCO's Evaluation Body has issued a positive recommendation for the inclusion of traditional Krakovian 'szopki' or nativity scenes on the prestigious UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

"This recommendation gives us 99-percent certainty that they will be listed as long as no accidents of fate occur," explained Andrzej Szoka, director of the Folklore and Traditions department of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków. "It hasn't happened yet that a decision of the committee was different from the recommendation of the UNESCO evaluation body."

Szoka added that the museum and nativity scene craftsmen are happy with the recommendation, which is confirmation that Krakovian nativity scene craftwork is a real 'treasure.' The final decision on the listing will be taken in late November or early December at a sitting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will take place in Mauritius.

The tradition of constructing Christmas 'szopki,' or nativity scenes, in Kraków stretches back to the 19th century and is inexorably tied to the city. A Krakovian szopka presents the biblical scene of the birth of Christ surrounded by the most recognisable landmarks of the city. Often, historical or contemporary social events are portrayed by figures in the scenes. The figures are often mobile and moved by various mechanisms with illumination giving an additional effect.

Every year, on the first Thursday of December, creators of the scenes gather on the Main Square in Kraków to present their works, which are assessed by experts. The competition has been held since 1937 with a break during World War II. The scenes can be admired after the competition at the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków.

Post by jeanne on Oct 29, 2018 21:19:20 GMT 1

That is great news that this cultural art form is getting such distinguished recognition!

By the way, what are these fancy, colorful structures made of? Are parts sold specifically for this purpose, and then people just use their creativity to put them together in their own imaginative manner? For example, it seems like a lot of them have golden roof tiles, bricks, and decorations that are similar...

Post by Bonobo on Oct 29, 2018 22:43:35 GMT 1

By the way, what are these fancy, colorful structures made of? Are parts sold specifically for this purpose, and then people just use their creativity to put them together in their own imaginative manner? For example, it seems like a lot of them have golden roof tiles, bricks, and decorations that are similar...

As a little boy, I was also interested in it and an adult someone told me they used glossy wrappings from candies and chocolates. It has been sufficient info for me until now!

Now, on second thoughts, I remember I once visited a visual&fine art&craft shop in Krakow where you could buy all kinds of materials. That glossy paper was sold in big sheets. You can also go to a modelling shop - instead of creating a railway station for trains or an airfield for planes or a harbour for ships or a model of a whole town etc etc, you make your szopka.

But instead of ready made stuff, the best is your own creation because it is always unique.

Post by jeanne on Oct 29, 2018 23:54:01 GMT 1

By the way, what are these fancy, colorful structures made of? Are parts sold specifically for this purpose, and then people just use their creativity to put them together in their own imaginative manner? For example, it seems like a lot of them have golden roof tiles, bricks, and decorations that are similar...

As a little boy, I was also interested in it and an adult someone told me they used glossy wrappings from candies and chocolates. It has been sufficient info for me until now!

I'm sure they could successfully incorporate glossy paper into the structures, but a szopkas entirely out of paper would make it very unstable, I would think, so there must be more, as you say!

Now, on second thoughts, I remember I once visited a visual&fine art&craft shop in Krakow where you could buy all kinds of materials. That glossy paper was sold in big sheets. You can also go to a modelling shop - instead of creating a railway station for trains or an airfield for planes or a harbour for ships or a model of a whole town etc etc, you make your szopka.

That is what I was wondering...if there were products marketed especially for the purpose of making szopkas. So that makes sense. I guess I'm not very knowledgeable about model-making!

But instead of ready made stuff, the best is your own creation because it is always unique.

Yes, those are my favorites! Though some of those fancy ones are just so detailed that one must give the creators credit for the painstaking work and time involved!!